The criterion for eligibility is that entrants must be currently registered for a degree at Oxford, or have been so registered in the previous academic year

Essays must not have been published elsewhere, including online

The prize is open to two categories, graduate and undergraduate students, these categories to be judged separately; a prize will not necessarily be awarded in both categories; the prize(s) will be awarded to the best essay(s) in Iranian and Persian-speaking World Studies, in any discipline of the humanities or social sciences; essays may be on any chronological period, ancient, medieval or modern; essays should make use of primary sources and will be assessed on the basis of the strength and originality of the research or argumentation

Essays should be between 6,000 and 8,000 words in length (including footnotes & references); applicants may choose the most suitable form of citation, though all submissions should be written to the highest academic standard

Results will be announced in sixth week of Trinity Term 2019, with the prize awarded and dinner at High Table in seventh week

The winner or winners will be invited to dine with judges at High Table in St Antony's College, and will receive an award of £250 or, should two winners be chosen, £125 each; and where appropriate, the judges may try to assist authors with the publication of the winning essay in a suitable journal